At
Euronaval 2012, German Shipbuilder TKMS released information about a
proposed conventional propulsion long-range submarine project, called
Type-216. The Type 216 is designed specifically to meet the "larger
conventional submarine" needs of countries like Australia, India
and Canada.

The Type 216 is one of the competitors of the Royal Australian Navy's
Collins-class submarine replacement project. Other competitors are,
for now, the Japanese Soryu
class and a diesel-electric variant of the Barracuda-class
nuclear submarine under construction for the French Navy.

Double
hull design.
Type 216 is equipped with an air independent propulsion system, giving
it the same kind of ability as a nuclear submarine: Staying underwater
for weeks to reach crisis area, such as the Strait of Malacca. Like an
SSN It would have the ability to launch cruise missiles, to deploy special
forces with their underwater delivery vehicle and even unmanned underwater
vehicles. The class is designed to be extremely quiet due to its propulsion
system and through the use of sound absorbing coating on the hull.